Workshop Classes

In the workshop classes, you “are” your own curriculum. You work at your own level, guided into the making of a sculpture by the teacher. This makes it possible to have students at various levels of ability in the one class, providing a great additional benefit as you learn by observing others.

You will begin by learning modelling in clay.  You will learn how to build an armature (the structure or the skeleton needed to support the clay), the method of modelling, use of tools and reading of form. We show the relationship of one form to another, the junctions and negatives made by various forms and the relationship of form to space.

When the modelling is complete, you will learn the craft of making a mould, removing it from the clay and casting in plaster.

You may also use direct modelling in plaster, assembly of a collage of component parts, carving or casting in reconstituted stone.

Usually you will be able to complete a sculpture in your first term.

Life Class

When you have learned the basic methods and have a grasp of the language of sculpture, you may be able to graduate into the life class.

The life study consists of six full day sessions with a model. We spend the first day drawing – selecting a pose for the following five weeks. Doing a life study is learning how to see, not merely to look, but to actually see the entirety of what is before you. You tell yourself what you see, internalise this and then go back to the study to translate this into clay. This is not merely copying what you see but recreating it. You will use art books to see how other sculptors do this. You build up a library of knowledge in the mind, which becomes the language of sculpture. It becomes a language like any other; distinguished at first by the way it is used by other people and ultimately by its use in a manner unique to you. In weeks 7-10 of the term, you will complete modelling the work and cast the sculpture.

Drawing for Sculpture

Drawing is part of making sculpture.  Almost all sculptures begin with drawing. Drawing is the physical expression of what is known and understood in the mind.  What is seen is imprinted on the mind. The drawing comes from the mind. Through the initial drawing of the subject, the mind is informed and engaged.  The eye, the mind and the hand work together to recreate the subject. 

In this life drawing class you will learn to focus on:

• the rhythmic movement of the pose,
• the structure of the figure and its major elements,
• the relationship of the forms and the processes in the figure.

Drawing for sculpture is not an outline, a map, a sketch or an illustration.  A good drawing is a thought on paper.  Sculpture is the ultimate drawing because we draw in every dimension.

Public Sculpture

This class will take you through the process of making a public sculpture, which engages a community and reflects the aspirations and values of that community.  As part of a team, you will learn:

• to develop and make a sculpture that reflects the ethos of a particular organization or community of people;
• to engage and involve the community in the idea of the sculpture and to help raise some of the funds towards it;
• to work collaboratively through all stages, with each other and with the community;
• to maintain focus on the task and ensuring that the time line set is maintained as closely as possible;
• to develop a design concept and make a maquette, and to negotiate the design with the client;
• to make the sculpture and
• to install the sculpture with an official unveiling.